Culture

Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Plants tolerate some soil dryness, but perform poorly in wet conditions. In USDA Zones 5 and 6, plants may die to the ground in harsh winters with roots surviving and then simply grow back the following spring in such years as if they were herbaceous perennials. Even if plants do not die to the ground in winter, they often grow more vigorously, produce superior flowers and maintain better shape if cut close to the ground in late winter each year. 'Blue Chip' plants reportedly produce few seeds (almost sterile) and infrequently sucker in the garden. They flower continuously from June to frost, with no need to deadhead spent blooms.

Noteworthy Characteristics

‘Blue Chip’ is the first cultivar to be released to commerce in a new miniature butterfly bush series named LO AND BEHOLD . This series is being developed at the Raulston Arboretum in North Carolina. Plants with additional flower colors are expected to be introduced in this series in the future. 'Blue Chip' plants grow in manageable, well-branched mounds to only 2' tall and feature intense blue flowers in spike-like terminal and axillary clusters. Flowers bloom continuously from June to September and sometimes to first frost. Flowers are fragrant, and, as the common name suggests, very attractive to butterflies. Willowy, elliptic leaves are green to gray-green. 'Blue Chip' is a complex hybrid originating as a third generation descendant from a hand pollinated cross of B. 'Honeycomb' and (B. 'Nanho Purple x B. lindleyana). U.S. Plant Patent PP19,991 was issued on May 12, 2009.

Linnaeus first named the genus herein as Buddleja (spelled with a “j”). Although some authorities now spell this genus as Buddleia with an “i” instead of a “j” (orthographic variant is one rationale), the Missouri Botanical Garden continues to follow the original spelling of Linnaeus in compliance with the priority rules of nomenclature.

Genus name honors Reverend Adam Buddle (1660-1715), English Botanist.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. This cultivar is not considered to be invasive in the landscape (no suckers and few seeds).

Garden Uses

Miniature plants for borders, cottage gardens, rose gardens, butterfly gardens or small areas of the landscape. Small enough to use as a flowering ground cover or in containers. Provides attractive summer to early fall flowers when few other shrubs are in bloom.